Business Owner Speaks at State House Rally Supporting $15 Minimum Wage; Nearly 300 Business Leaders Have Endorsed Massachusetts Business for a Fair Minimum Wage Statement Backing Increase to $15

BOSTON, May 8, 2018 – The owner of a fast-growing Quincy-based recruiting company will speak at today’s 1 PM State House Rally organized by Raise Up Massachusetts about why increasing the state minimum wage to $15 an hour is good for business. Nearly 300 business owners and executives across the state have currently endorsed the Massachusetts Business for a Fair Minimum Wage Statement supporting an increase in the minimum wage to $15 over four years.

Raise Up Massachusetts is collecting the final signatures needed to put the $15 minimum wage measure on the November ballot if the Legislature does not act.

“Whether you are in the recruiting business, food, health care, retail or hospitality, your employees are your greatest assets,” said Megan Driscoll, CEO and Founder of PharmaLogics Recruiting in Quincy, one of Massachusetts’ fastest-growing companies. “When employees aren’t valued, they know it. And so do customers. A fair minimum wage is a win-win for workers and businesses."

“When the minimum wage is too little to live on, it hurts businesses as well as workers,” said Holly Sklar, CEO of Business for a Fair Minimum Wage. “It undermines the consumer spending that businesses depend on to thrive. And low pay typically means high employee turnover. Raising the minimum wage to $15 will pay off in lower turnover, better customer service and productivity, increased consumer spending, and a healthier economy.”

Robert Baker, President of Key Polymer Corporation, a Lawrence manufacturer founded in 1959, said, “Key Polymer Corporation is a strong believer in the contribution that a stable and committed workforce makes to the success of a company. Paying a living wage is both fair and good business. Raising the minimum wage makes good sense.”

“Products and services are only as good as the workers who create them,” said Janet Doyle, Owner of Doyle Sailmakers in Salem. “Paying a living wage is important for maintaining a good quality of life for our workforce, providing unparalleled customer service and supporting our local consumer economy. Paying fair wages has greatly benefited our bottom line and raising the minimum wage will greatly benefit Massachusetts.”

Michael Archbald, Owner of Collective Home Care, Inc. in West Hatfield, with about 100 employees serving Franklin and Hampshire counties, said, “The home health aides who work for us and other companies are heroes. It’s hard work – sometimes grueling. They need our respect and a living wage. Raising the minimum wage to $15 will strengthen the Massachusetts workforce and economy and help us revitalize the ailing American Dream.”

“When people earn more, they spend more. Raising the minimum wage will spur a virtuous cycle of increased economic activity as consumer demand increases,” said Laura Fisher, Owner of Fisher Agencies, serving Eastern and Central Massachusetts with offices in Burlington and Mansfield. “In addition, businesses will benefit from lower employee turnover and increased morale and productivity.”